Hoisting device for big loads

ABSTRACT

A hoisting device for big loads, comprising at least one hoisting mast, a foot arranged on the underside and hoisting means connected at least to the top. The hoisting device is assembled from mast parts which are mutually connectable by means of connecting means and the largest of which has dimensions which do not exceed those of a usual container. Each mast part is constructed as a framework structure consisting of angle bars and cross bars mutually connecting the angle bars. The angle bars consist of two parts with a set-square-shaped cross section of different dimensions and wherein the outer ends of the legs of the smaller lie against the legs of the larger and the larger part lies on the outer periphery of the mast part, so that mast parts are provided of the greatest possible strength and stiffness within the dimensions of typical containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hoisting device for big loads,comprising at least one hoisting mast, a foot arranged on the undersideand hoisting means connected at least to the top, wherein the hoistingdevice is assembled from mast parts which are mutually connectable bymeans of connecting means and the largest of which has dimensions whichdo not exceed those of a usual container, and wherein each mast part isconstructed as a framework structure consisting of angle bars and crossbars mutually connecting the angle bars.

The present invention relates particularly to hoisting devices which canhandle, hoist and displace very large prefabricated modules such aschemical processing installations, offshore installations, windmills andso on, often of more than 1000 tons, to a great height in the order ofmagnitude of 120 m.

The projects on which these installations can be deployed are spreadthroughout the world. It will therefore be apparent that in choosing thedimensions of the components of the hoisting device account must betaken of transport to and from the location where the project is beingcarried out. The design of ships for transport by sea and inlandwaterways and developments in overland transport using trucks and trainsare determined more and more by the use of sea-cargo containers. Thelocations for transhipment of goods are likewise being adaptedincreasingly for handling of these containers.

In order therefore to make the mobilization of lifting and hoistingmaterial attractive in view of the described trends in the field oftransport and to keep the associated costs acceptable, mast parts havebeen sought which embody the great strength and stiffness (bending andbuckling) necessary for the hoisting device within the typicaldimensions of sea-cargo containers and which can also be coupled insimple manner to form the desired mast length. Such a hoisting device isknown from the international patent application no. PCT/NL97/00099.

The object of the present invention is to improve the hoisting deviceknown from the prior art and to design mast parts of the greatestpossible strength and stiffness within the dimensions of typicalsea-cargo containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved in that the angle bars consist of two parts witha set-square-shaped cross-section of different dimensions, wherein theouter ends of the legs of the smaller lie against the legs of the largerand the larger part lies on the outer periphery of the mast part.

The profile of the angle bars provides, relative to the usually appliedprofiles, an optimum use of the material within the dimensions definedby the standard container, also with a view to the other requirementsrelating to fixing of framework rods and the coupling method. The fixingsurface between the angle bars and the cross bars is in fact flat, sothat the cross bars can be arranged directly onto the angle bars withoutany modification. This design also provides the greatest possibleavailable space inside the framework which enables optimal utilizationof the mast part in the container application during transport.

The corners of the parts of the angle bars are preferably rounded. Theparts of the angle bars are hereby easier to manufacture. In addition,no sharp edges are present on the mast parts.

For coupling of the mast parts the connecting means are slidablyreceived in close-fitting manner in the angle bars, which means comprisetwo identical plate pieces and a filler body arranged therebetween. Atleast two holes are herein arranged in each plate piece and holes arearranged on the outer ends of the angle bars of each mast part, whereinthe holes of the plate pieces lie in one line in each case with twoholes of two mutually abutting mast parts for receiving a pin. Theconnecting means provide centering of the mast parts and absorption ofthe tensile and transverse forces (bending load) between the mast partswhen the hoisting device is carried upward.

During moving upward of the hoisting device the maximum shearing forceis to be found on the contact plane of the mast parts. In preference thefiller body is therefore arranged between the holes of the plate piecesso that this filler body, which is situated on the contact plane of themast parts, can absorb the maximum shearing force.

The centre distance between the holes of the plate pieces is such thatthe end surfaces of the mast parts abut one another. Once the crane hasbeen raised, the mast parts lie mutually abutting and the forcesoccurring as a result of hoisting a load are for the most parttransmitted directly from the one mast part to the other and theconnecting means are almost not loaded.

In order to make the mast part suitable for transport, an auxiliaryframe is arranged on each end surface of the mast part, which frame isprovided with coupling means corresponding with those of the usualcontainer, wherein the dimension between the coupling means on the oneand on the other end surface of the mast part and the dimension betweenthe coupling means on one side of the mast part mutually correspond withthose of a usual container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow withreference to the annexed drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the mast part according to thepresent invention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective detail view of two mutually abutting mastparts, wherein the coupling of the mast parts by means of the connectingmeans according-to the present invention is shown,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view with disassembled parts of the mast partand the auxiliary frame according to the present invention, and

FIG. 4 is a partly perspective view as according to FIG. 3 in assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Designated with numeral 1 is the mast part which is constructed as aframework structure and consists of angle bars 2 and cross bars 3mutually connecting angle bars 2. Angle bars 2 consist of two parts 4, 5of set-square-shaped cross-section with different dimensions. The outerends of the legs of part 4 of smaller dimension herein lie against thelegs of the part 5 of larger dimension. In addition, part 5 lies on theouter periphery of mast part 1 and the corners of parts 4, 5 of anglebars 2 are rounded. FIG. 1 shows clearly that the fixing surfacesbetween cross bars 3 and angle bars 2 are flat. In addition, FIG. 1shows with one diagonal 18 in the left-hand end surface plane of mastpart 1 that the design of the profile of the angle bars provides thegreatest possible usable space inside the framework structure fortransport purposes.

In FIG. 2 two mutually abutting mast parts 1 a, 1 b are mutually coupledby means of connecting means 6. Connecting means 6 can be seen at thetop of FIG. 2 because angle bars 2 a, 2 b are partly broken away.Connecting means 6 are slidably received in close-fitting manner inangle bars 2 a, 2 b of mast parts 1 a, 1 b. Each mast part 1 a, 1 b hason one end surface thereof four connecting means 6. These lattercomprise two identical plate pieces 7 and a filler body 8 arrangedtherebetween. Filler body 8 can, as shown in the figures, be formedintegrally with plate pieces 7 but may also be a separate part. In FIG.2 the two plate pieces 7 lie mutually aligned. Two holes 9, 10 arearranged in each plate piece 7. Holes 11, which can be seen in FIGS. 1and 3, are likewise arranged on the outer ends of angle bars 2 a, 2 b ofeach mast part 1 a, 1 b. Plate pieces 7 can slide into angle bars 2 a, 2b such that holes 9, 10 of plate pieces 7 lie in one line with each ofthe holes 11 of two mutually abutting mast parts 1 a, 1 b. Pins 17 areinserted through holes 9, 10, 11 to couple mast parts 1 a, 1 b. In thisposition another pin (not shown) can moreover be placed in hole 14 toprevent small displacements of connecting means 6 in angle bar 2 a.

FIG. 3 shows with disassembled parts the mast part 1 with an auxiliaryframe 12. In assembly, as shown partly in FIG. 4, an auxiliary frame 12is arranged on both end surfaces of mast part 1. Auxiliary frames 12 areprovided on each corner point with coupling means 13 which correspondwith those of a typical container, the so-called twist-lock connection.The dimension between the coupling means 13 on the one and on the otherend surface of mast part 1 and the dimension between the coupling means13 on one side of mast part 1 mutually correspond with those of atypical container. Ears 15 with holes 16 are mounted on auxiliary frames12 for coupling of auxiliary frame 12 to the mast part 1 for transportpurposes.

FIG. 4 shows partly in perspective the assembly of mast part 1 andauxiliary frame 12. For coupling of each auxiliary frame 12 to mast part1 the connecting means 6 are pushed into the angle bars 2, as can beseen in the broken away part of FIG. 4. Ears 15 of auxiliary frame 12are then placed between plate parts 7 of connecting means 6, wherein theholes 11 arranged in angle bars 2, the holes 10 arranged in plate pieces7 and the holes 16 arranged in ears 15 lie in one line. The abovedescribed pins 17 are placed through the holes 11, 10 and 16 lying inone line. In this manner two auxiliary frames 12 at a time are fixed toeach mast part 1, whereby the whole unit can be handled and transportedas a typical container.

Angle bars 2 are preferably manufactured from a high-grade fine-grainedsteel type with a yield point of more than 690 N/mm². Connecting means 6are likewise embodied in a high-grade steel quality. The present designof the mast parts 1 results in an 80% greater strength and a 30% greaterstiffness compared to the mast parts known from the prior art.

For auxiliary masts, which in particular cases may have a smallercross-sectional dimension, the mast parts are designed on the basis ofthe same principles as described here. The optimal external dimensionsof these auxiliary mast parts—possible because of the enlarged spaceinside the main mast parts—are chosen such that for transport purposesthese parts can slide into the above described main mast parts.

Finally, the container obtained in this manner can be filled to themaximum permitted weight with other components which are important forthe embodiment, such as foot plates for the mast, hoisting means,counter-weight and so on.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hoisting device having one or more mast parts,each mast part comprising: a plurality of elongated angle bars, eachangle bar having a first part including a pair of legs extending atright angles to each other from a corner of the first part and a secondpart including a pair of legs extending at right angles to each otherfrom a corner of the second part, the first part and the second partbeing secured together so that an end of one leg of the first partopposite the corner thereof abuts a side of one leg of the second partbetween the corner of the second part and an end of the one leg of thesecond part opposite the corner thereof, and an end of the other leg ofthe first part opposite the corner thereof abuts a side of the other legof the second part between the corner of the second part and an end ofthe other leg of the second part opposite the corner thereof, the legsand corners of the first part and the second part of each angle bardefining a conduit that extends between opposite ends thereof; aplurality of elongated cross bars securing the angle bars in spacedparallel relation, each cross bar having opposite ends, with one end ofeach cross bar connected to one angle bar and with the other end of eachcross bar connected to another angle bar; at least one connector havinga pair of opposed plate pieces secured by a filler body in spacedparallel relation defining at least one gap therebetween, each platepiece having therein at least one hole which is aligned coaxially withthe hole in the other plate piece across the gap, wherein at least oneconduit of the mast part adjacent one end thereof slidably receives theone connector with the holes of the plate pieces thereof positionedcoaxial with a hole formed in the angle bar defining the one conduit;and an auxiliary frame having at least one coupler including an earconfigured to be received in the one conduit of the mast part adjacentthe one end thereof and in the gap between the plate pieces of the oneconnector received in the one conduit, the ear having therein a holewhich is aligned coaxially with the holes in the plate pieces of the oneconnector and the hole formed in the angle bar defining the one conduitfor receiving a pin.
 2. The hoisting device as claimed in claim 1,further including another auxiliary frame having at least one couplerincluding an ear configured to be received in the one conduit of themast part at the other end thereof and in a gap between plate pieces ofanother connector received in the one conduit adjacent the other end ofthe mast part, the ear of the other coupler having therein a hole whichis aligned coaxially with the holes in the plate pieces of the otherconnector and another hole formed in the angle bar defining the otherconduit for receiving another pin.
 3. A hoisting device having one ormore mast parts, each mast part comprising: a plurality of elongatedangle bars, each angle bar having a first part including a pair of legsextending at right angles to each other from a corner of the first partand a second part including a pair of legs extending at right angles toeach other from a corner of the second part, the first part and thesecond part being secured together so that an end of one leg of thefirst part opposite the corner thereof abuts a side of one leg of thesecond part between the corner of the second part and an end of the oneleg of the second part opposite the corner thereof, and an end of theother leg of the first part opposite the corner thereof abuts a side ofthe other leg of the second part between the corner of the second partand an end of the other leg of the second part opposite the cornerthereof, and a plurality of elongated cross bars securing the angle barsin spaced parallel relation, each cross bar having opposite ends, withone end of each cross bar connected to one angle bar and with the otherend of each cross bar connected to another angle bar, wherein: the oneend of each cross bar is connected to the one angle bar on the side ofone of the legs of the second part where one of the legs of the firstpart abuts said side of one of the legs of the second part; and theother end of each cross bar is connected to the other angle bar on theside of the one of the legs of the second part where one of the legs ofthe first part abuts said side of the one of the legs of the secondpart.
 4. The hoisting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ends ofthe cross bars are connected to the angle bars only adjacent a peripheryof the mast part.
 5. A hoisting device having one or more mast parts,each mast part comprising: a plurality of elongated angle bars, eachangle bar having a first part including a pair of legs extending atright angles to each other from a corner of the first part and a secondpart including a pair of legs extending at right angles to each otherfrom a corner of the second part, the first part and the second partbeing secured together so that an end of one leg of the first partopposite the corner thereof abuts a side of one leg of the second partbetween the corner of the second part and an end of the one leg of thesecond part opposite the corner thereof, and an end of the other leg ofthe first part opposite the corner thereof abuts a side of the other legof the second part between the corner of the second part and an end ofthe other leg of the second part opposite the corner thereof, the legsand corners of the first part and the second part of each angle bardefining a conduit that extends between opposite ends thereof; aplurality of elongated cross bars securing the angle bars in spacedparallel relation, each cross bar having opposite ends, with one end ofeach cross bar connected to one angle bar and with the other end of eachcross bar connected to another angle bar; and a plurality of connectors,each connector having a pair of opposed plate pieces secured in spacedparallel relation by a filler body, each plate piece having at least twoholes therein, wherein each connector is configured to be slidablyreceived in a pair of aligned conduits of two mast parts abuttedtogether with at least one hole of each plate piece positioned coaxialwith a hole formed in the angle bar defining the conduit of one mastpart for receiving a pin and at least one other hole of each plate piecepositioned coaxial with a hole formed in an angle bar defining theconduit of the other mast part for receiving another pin.
 6. Thehoisting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the filler body isdisposed between the holes of the plate pieces.
 7. A hoisting devicehaving one or more mast parts, each mast part comprising: a plurality ofelongated angle bars, each angle bar having a first part including apair of legs extending at right angles to each other from a corner ofthe first part and a second part including a pair of legs extending atright angles to each other from a corner of the second part, the firstpart and the second part being secured together so that an end of oneleg of the first part opposite the corner thereof abuts a side of oneleg of the second part between the corner of the second part and an endof the one leg of the second part opposite the corner thereof, and anend of the other leg of the first part opposite the corner thereof abutsa side of the other leg of the second part between the corner of thesecond part and an end of the other leg of the second part opposite thecorner thereof, wherein the corners of the first and second parts arerounded; and a plurality of elongated cross bars securing the angle barsin spaced parallel relation, each cross bar having opposite ends, withone end of each cross bar connected to one angle bar and with the otherend of each cross bar connected to another angle bar.